Campaigners rally against homes plan

Published:09:00Sunday 23 February 2014

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Campaigners are rallying against controversial plans to turn a route used by hundreds of school children into a new road.

The route is the only access from Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School to its playing fields and is used by scores of youngsters every day. In addition, the route is the pedestrian entrance the town’s main park, Cliffe Park.

But now developers want to build seven six-bedroom homes – including one with a cinema room and a gym – between the school and the fields, turning the route into a new road serving the homeowners.

Protester Phil Andrews, of Green Lane, said the proposals could pose a danger to students’ safety. A spokesman for Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School added: “Upwards of 100 students are escorted along this narrow path and PE staff are very concerned about their ability to ensure the school children’s safety.”

A spokesman for applicants the Ponsford Trust said: “This plan will improve pedestrian safety by providing a dedicated footpath for pedestrians, school children and park users with a separate carriageway for vehicles.

“The development will provide upper market housing for which there is a shortfall in the Dronfield area,” the spokesman added.